Need help to choose between jrf and masters
so guys i am a 2025 btech graduate in aeronautical engg, and i took a drop to attempt gate 2026 and got 406 score (i was not able to focus on studies due to some family problems)
i can get nit or iist or diat with score but no iit
so i am recently selected as a jrf in iit kgp (as a temporary project staff, for 22 months, this project is sponsored by isro) in aerospace department in navigation system and i have already joined it.
today was a formal meeting between me and my PI.
she asked me about my future plans and i told her that i want to work as jrf and prepare for gate accordingly then after my jrf is completed, i want to try ms by research in other iits like madras bombay or iisc even
so she asked me why but i didnt have any answer
so she told me that jrf students at iit kgp (that enter directly after btech through valid gate score) can convert their jrf into ms by research program during december session or phd after the jrf completion
not much competition so they are converted by a series of interviews conducted by iit
so my ms by research will be in navigation systems and my jrf will continue parallelly
so the research papers, thesis, research done in jrf will directly benefit my ms by research.
she also told me that ms by research is a program of 4 semesters and its 3 semesters fees and other charges will be covered by iit kgp
because my project started from jan 2026 and it will be over in dec 2027
so technically if i join ms by research in dec, 3 semesters fees will be covered and i will have to pay only 1 sem fees
if i am not wrong then maybe ms will also be completed in may 2028 or dec 2028 (not sure)
so can you guys help me decide what to choose?
if i select ms in iit kgp itself, i can focus fully on my research and then maybe it will help me in isro or other psu interviews
and if i study for these 22 months and reattempt gate i will join an even better iit but will it be worth it?
because if i join in other iit in 2028, ms will be completed in 2030 and if i choose iit kgp then my ms will be completed in dec 2028 and maybe i will be able to sit for placements during that time as well
btw in the end my PI told me that it is my personal choice and you can study as a jrf and if you find work interesting after 2 3 months, you can convert if you want to.
i am comfortable in either of them because i just want to focus on my studies either way
so if anyone can guide me or ask other questions, feel free to comment.
Lab timings will be 10 to 7 from Monday to Friday
And some extra work according to the need and overtime whenever required
thank you
Posted Mar 27, 2026, 8:08 PM UTC